Nothing Heals A Heart Like Love...

especially if it's from a new puppy!

Look what I dragged home from the Southern Belle in Tunica! Isn't she a cutie? Her name is "Gidget" and she is a Jack Russell Terrier.

After Sweetie unexpectedly passed away on Friday while I was at the horse show, I was devistated to say the least. I was visiting with the three little puppies the lady had just outside the main arena when a good friend snuck behind me and bought the tiny little puppy I was holding. The first day she was terrified of me, I think she still is actually! After taking the long ride from Tunica back to Alabama in my lap, then spending the night (hidden!) in the hotel room with me in Alabama she is getting better. After the ride in the truck where she kept hiding under the center armrest in the back, we got to the hotel where she hid behind the couch! I managed to coax her out with a can of Cesar dog food, it was all the gas station had! I had the room and the king sized bed all to myself, so it was relatively quiet, but she kept trying to hide under my pillow. I'd try to hide her under the one next to me or under the covers but she wans't having it, she wanted under MY pillow. She finally resigned to hiding under the covers for the night. We'll see what Jamie says when I get home. I haven't told him yet! Heading back home to GA today from "swim camp". I can't wait to get home!

Words Cannot Express

Words cannot express the sense of loss I feel today. It's really amazing how much one horse has influenced and changed my life so much. Sweetie was my pet, my friend, and my partner. Together we accomplished so much in the show ring, and she taught me so much. She will forever be missed and forever in my heart. Thank you for the wins, the awards, the lessons you taught, the great memories we had together and the companionship. I feel blessed to have owned you. You are a part of so many chapters of my life, and although going on will be difficult, I will forever cherish our days together.

I will forever remember out trip to Congress, the time I panicked going over the lope over in western riding, closed my eyes, and you loped across it like a pro. I will remember the time we beat Bruce Vickery in western riding at the big show, the time we got the standing ovation after our flawless pattern, and the time you nearly threw me going in to a horsemanship class that we won! We had 10 great years together, and for that I will be forever grateful.

Pastures

Give her pasture, tall and green,
With lots of clover, oh so thick
Give her lots of carrots,
and blocks of salt to lick.
Make sure someone rubs her belly,
And scratches behind each ear,
And tell them about that itchy spot
Right on her left hind rear.
May her tail fly free and high
As she runs across the ridge,
'Til she races across to greet me,
At the end of Rainbow Bridge.

Ima Sweet Memory
April 6, 1986 - July 14, 2006
All American Quarter Horse Congress Top Ten
AQHA Amateur Versatility Champion
World Show Qualifier
Open & Amateur ROM
Multiple All Arounds and Reserve All Around Awards
198 Total AQHA points
Points in: Halter, Showmanship, Hunter Under Saddle, Equitation, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Trail, Western Riding, and Reining.
Multiple GQHA and GQHYA Year End High Point Awards

"We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached.
Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way.
We cherish memory as the only certain immortality,
never fully understanding the necessary plan.
-Irving Townsend

Longeline, Here I Come!!

Whew! What an exhausting week! Four horses, one me, and a 7 day show! I took Baby, Turtle, Skippette...all YEARLINGS! and Chippen for Gloria to the Big A in Conyers: July 2nd -9th. This was supposed to be my first show with Rod, but after a trip to BNT's barn where he was ridden heavily without getting his feet trimmed!! he is hold up at "swim camp" in Alabama for rehab.

This week was my first attempt at showing longeline. I am a little embarrassed to say that I have never really payed attention to a longeline class, so I was a bit lost. It all went off without a hitch. We placed consistently in the top three against some stiff competition. Skippette was a real trooper, especially since this was her first time off the farm! She is such a sweet, quirky filly. We did longeline on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday and even won under the AQHA judges! WHOOHOO! I was actually surprised to hear my name called out first place! Grant, Jamie, and Mom came on Sunday to help me take the motor home back. They arrived just as my class was being placed. Oh well, at least them came! We had our picture taken and yet again I didn't think to get the rest of the crew in the photo with me. Maybe someday I'll learn. I can't believe I survived by myself! Especially with THREE dogs and four horses. But Zoe, Gidget, Molly, Skippette, Baby, Turtle, Chippen and I made it just fine. I am impressed I survived a horse show alone with four horses 2 years old and under! It's a miracle! Expecially with the fireworks! Did I mention the fireworks? Got to love a horse show over Independance day. I will admit I wussed out and slipped the three boys a little something, but I was showing Skippette so she had to go without. Only minor drama ensued. LOL

I was lucky enough to reserve the hall next to Gloria and crew, so I wasn't lonely. I was on the same aisle with Gene Parker and his wife, it was great to finally put a face with a voice after talking to them so much during breeding season. They had a really cool black and tan dobie with them, he was way less neurotic than Zoe!

It was a great show, big turnout, lots of great fun with great friends. Some things never change.

I'm leaving for the Southern Belle in Tunica, MS tomorrow for my next attempt at longeline. Wish me luck!